AN: Just a short little chapter as a Sunday treat. At least one more coming later today.

A Little Boy and His Doctor

Chapter 10

Michael was sitting on the front porch with Jacob when his daddy arrived to pick him up Saturday morning. After thanking Jacob's parents for having him spend the night Michael and Jethro headed for the marina.

"Where are we going daddy?"

"I thought we might take the boat out for a while. Okay with you?"

"Yea. Can I steer today?"

"You bet."

The rest of the drive was quiet with Michael occasionally telling his dad about something he and Jacob had done. Jethro was replying as needed but mostly he was thinking about what he was going to say to Michael about Jen leaving. He was dreading the conversation and he hoped being on the boat would help. Michael loved being on the water almost as much as his dad so he was counting on that making things better.

They had been on the water for about an hour and Michael was helping steer the boat when he turned to his dad and asked, "What's wrong daddy?"

Jethro just looked at him and wondered for the umpteenth time how his six year old could read him so well.

"I have some kinda bad news Michael. Dr. Jenny is moving to Boston."

He had thought about how to tell him and in the end Jethro decided the direct approach would be the best. He didn't want to make a huge deal out of it and he thought if he just laid it out there it would be best.

Michael didn't say anything for a long time. Finally he asked, "Why?"

"Well, she got a really good job offer there and she decided to take it. It's a good thing for her Michael. She said she would miss us a bunch but she thought this was a good opportunity for her."

"When is she moving?"

"I don't know for sure but pretty soon. She asked me to tell you she's going to miss you and she really enjoyed being friends with you. She said she'd write you."

"Can I call her?"

"Sure, I guess so. She's going to be pretty busy but you can call if you want to. Are you okay, Michael?"

"Yeah, but it's sad. I really like her. Are you okay daddy?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. You're right, it's sad but we'll be okay. Maybe someday we can go to Boston and see Jenny. Now, lets see if we can get this boat moving. Whatta ya say?"

"Yes, let's go fast!"

They went as fast as the wind allowed and by the time they got back to the marina Michael was exhausted. They went home, had a quick supper and then both Gibbs boys crawled into Jethro's bed and fell fast asleep. Michael cuddled up next to his dad and was in the same place when Jethro woke up at six o'clock Sunday morning. He lay very still and listened to his son's soft breathing. He pictured Jenny packing her stuff and moving away from them and it saddened him so much he could barely stand it. He wondered why she had come into their lives only to leave so soon. What was he missing? Was there something he was supposed to be doing that he wasn't? All Jethro knew for sure was that he had a son he had to take care of and lately he didn't seem to be doing a very good job of that. He was gone too much and he barely had the energy he needed to be a father much less a boyfriend or whatever he would be at his age. He gave himself a mental head slap and vowed to get back to where he was before Michael's accident; content and happy with the life he had with his son.

Summer came to an end and fall settled in with cool weather and falling leaves. Jenny had written to Michael shortly after she moved giving him her new address and phone numbers. He wrote her back as part of a school project. He didn't seem troubled by her moving and Jethro was relieved. They were both busy with work and school and things seemed to being going fine for them. By the middle of October all Michael talked about was Halloween and what he was going to be for trick-or-treat. He finally settled on a pirate and Abby helped him get his costume together. November roared into the Capitol with a nasty winter storm and Michael and his dad stayed home that day and played in the unexpected two inches of snow.

Jack came down for Thanksgiving and all the team joined together for dinner at Ducky's house. The holiday season was always difficult for Jethro and his team knew it. They normally gave him a wide berth this time of year because his mood often matched the weather; dark and cold. Even Michael knew his daddy didn't like the holidays. Each year Jethro vowed to try and be in better spirits but nothing really worked. Nothing except the arrival of the new year anyway. This year he had begun talking to himself about his attitude in late October but it wasn't working. As the days grew shorter and colder his mood became more melancholy and his temper, at work anyway, became more unpredictable. Nobody thought much of it; they were used to this seasonal occurrence and merely tried to weather the storm just like they did the real winter storms that descended on the nation's capitol.

Ducky took it upon himself to speak to Jethro about his mood late one afternoon during the week after Thanksgiving. It troubled Ducky that Jethro was not able to put Jenny's leaving behind him and be more attentive and responsive to Michael during the holidays. When the child was a baby it was alright for Jethro to not really celebrate but in the last couple of years it bothered Ducky more and more that his friend was not in the holiday spirit as much as would be expected when there was a young child in the home. Not to say that Jethro didn't do all the right things such as put up a tree and hang stockings and such but his overall demeanor was not usually very festive. And this year it was noticeably worse. As Michael's surrogate grandfather, Ducky decided he had to speak up.

"Jethro, thanks for coming down. I won't take too much of your time."

"That's okay, Duck. What's on your mind?"

"You. And Michael. And Dr. Sheppard."

"Duck." The tone was a warning but Ducky ignored it as he usually did.

"Just sit down and listen to me for Michael's sake if not your own. We all know that you are not a holiday person. We understand and accept that. I know you do your best to put on a good face for Michael; you always have. I suspect you do a pretty good job of masking your mood when you are at home because you are a wonderful father. But this year I see a difference in you. Dr. Sheppard has been gone for the better part of three months now. Have you been in touch with her?"

"No." Now the tone was part hostility part defensive and part defeated.

"You told me the two of you agreed to stay in touch and maintain your friendship. What happened to that plan?"

"I don't know. She hasn't called me either." This was mostly in a whiney, little boy tone.

"Jethro I know you miss her. It is painfully obvious to those of us who know you as well as I do. Why don't you call her and see how she's doing?"

"I have picked up the phone probably twenty times in the past month but I can't make myself call her. I want to talk to her but I don't know what to say. I don't want to lead her on or make her think things have changed when they haven't."

"Are you sure about that? How long did it take you to get over Linda? Or Carolyn? Or any of the other women you have dated over the years?"

"None of those women were anymore than just a date or two. They weren't like Jen. They were just nice women I went out with once or twice and that was all. There is no comparison Duck."

"Precisely my point, Jethro. Jenny is different. She is someone special with whom you need to stay in touch. I'm going to say this as plainly as I can, Jethro. One day in the not too distant future you are going to wake up and realize that Jenny Sheppard is the woman you want and need in your life. If you don't stay connected to her between now and that day, you won't be able to reach out to her when you are ready. And trust me, you will be ready."

Jethro scrubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. He looked at his closest friend and sighed.

"Okay. Let's say I call her tonight. What the hell am I supposed to say?"

"How about, 'Hello, Jen. How are you?' She'll respond and you go from there. For god's sake Jethro, have a simple conversation! Ask about her work, her new colleagues, her new home. Be interested in her!"

"I am interested in her!"

"Then I suggest you let her know that. If you don't you may find someone else does."

"You're right. I don't want that to happen. Okay, I'll call her tonight."

"Word of honor?"

"Yes, word of honor. Thank you Duck."

"You're welcome. Goodnight, Jethro. Give Michael my love."

That night after Michael had his bath and was ready for bed Jethro went in to tuck him in and read him a short story. Michael climbed into his daddy's lap and snuggled against his chest. Jethro loved the smell of his little boy and the feel of his small body close to his. Michael looked up at his daddy and made up his mind to bring up the person he had wanted to talk about for a long time.

"I wonder how Dr. Jenny is."

Jethro looked at Michael and couldn't help but smile. "Have you been talking to Ducky?"

"No. Does he know how Dr. Jenny is?"

"No, never mind. What makes you bring her up?"

"I've been wondering how she is. We haven't talked to her in a long time. I miss her. You miss her too don't you daddy?"

"Yeah, I do. Tell you what, why don't we call her and see how she's doing. Wanna do that?"

"Oh boy, yes. Can we do it right now?"

"I think we should."

Jethro pulled his phone out of his pocket and punched in her number. As he did so he said to Michael, "Why don't you talk first. I think Jenny would like that."

Michael was so excited he had to stand up and walk around waiting for her to answer. Finally, he stopped in the middle of the room.

"Hello."

"Hi, Dr. Jenny, it's Michael. How are you?"

"Michael, hello. What a nice surprise. I'm fine. Are you and your dad okay?"

Jethro watched as his son's face lit up and his smile stretched from one side of his face to the other. No matter what else happened on this phone call it was worth it just to see that look on his child's face. He knew there was no one else in Michael's world who could have put that look of pure happiness on his face.

"We're okay. We miss you. Do you miss us?"

"I sure do Michael. Hey, does your dad know you're calling me?"

"Yes, he's right here. He called but he let me talk first. I hope you can come see us. I better go to bed and daddy can talk to you."

"Okay, goodnight Michael. It was really nice to hear your voice."

Jethro took the phone from Michael and kissed him goodnight. "Can you hang on just a second, Jen?"

"Yes, go ahead."

Michael got under the covers and Jethro kissed him on the forehead. "Night, buddy. Sleep tight. I love you."

"Love you too, daddy. Bye Dr. Jenny!"

Jethro walked out of the bedroom and pulled the door shut. "Hi, Jen. I hope it's not a bad time to call."

"Not at all. I'm happy to hear your voice. I've missed you and Michael. How are you Jethro?"

"I'm okay. Not my favorite time of year but we're managing. I miss you Jen. I know we were supposed to stay in touch but …."

"It's okay. I haven't called either. It's been pretty busy here but that's not the reason. I just don't know what to say to you, Jethro. I think about you, worry really, every day. Are you really okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. We've had some tough cases lately but everything's alright. Michael's getting excited for Christmas. Tonight, out of the blue, he asked about you. So, I thought we should call. He seems to be the one working on keeping us together."

"He always has been hasn't he? Sneaky little man, your son. How is he doing in school?"

"Great. He loves it. Reading like a champ and writing all his letters. Luckily he's got his mom's brains. How's the new job?"

"Challenging. Most days I like it but I do miss DC. I'm really glad you called Jethro."

"Me too. Ducky told me if I didn't stay in touch with you someone else might and then when I finally reached out you'd be gone. I don't want that to happen."

Jen was silent for so long Jethro began to fear he was already too late. His heart was in his throat and he had a knot in his stomach. He counted to ten and she still hadn't answered.

"Jenny? It's already happened hasn't it?"

"No, god no, Jethro. It's just that was such a sweet thing for you to say. It means a lot to me to hear you talk like that. It tells me you haven't given up on us. Am I hearing you right?"

"Yes. I haven't given up. I'm not there yet but I'm working on it. Jen, can you give me some more time? I know it's not fair to ask you but I'm doing it anyway."

"I'm not looking elsewhere, Jethro. I'll give you time, just like I said I would. Tell you what, I'll call you next week okay? Take care of yourself and please tell Michael how much I enjoyed talking to him. Goodnight, Jethro."

"Night Jen."

Jethro slept better that night than he had in a long time. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

TBC